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Marina Operations Manager

Florida, United StatesPosted 18d ago

About this role

About the role

We operate a dry stack and wet-berth marina with a fuel dock, an onsite boat club, and service-provider partners sharing the ramp and docks. We are looking for a working supervisor to run the dock day to day: on the forklift, on the dock, and leading the crew.

This is a hands-on job. You will spend most of your day moving boats and working alongside your crew, not behind a desk. You will also ensure the work gets done to standard: safely, in the right sequence, and documented.

Ownership and the Property Manager have already set the operating rules, safety standards, and tenant agreements for this property. Your job is to apply them consistently on the dock, keep clear records, and escalate anything that falls outside them. You will not be asked to negotiate policy or settle disputes with our onsite partners. That sits above you, and you will have support when you need it.

What you'll do

  • Operate the marine forklift to launch, retrieve, and rack vessels safely and efficiently

  • Run daily yard sequencing, rack assignments, and berthing; adjust in real time for weather, volume, and equipment status

  • Supervise and schedule the dock crew; train new hands and keep training records current

  • Coordinate daily with our boat club and service-provider partners on staging, haul-outs, and shared use of the ramp, docks, and fuel dock

  • Operate the fuel dock and follow spill-prevention and environmental compliance procedures

  • Inspect docks, pilings, pedestals, and the yard; handle routine maintenance and keep the property clean and hazard-free

  • Carry out hurricane and severe-weather preparation under the property's storm plan

  • Document launches, retrievals, incidents, damage, and daily operations

What we're looking for

Someone who works safely without being watched, and who writes things down.

A lot of this job is judgment in the moment: whether the wind is too strong for a particular lift, whether a hull is properly supported, whether a boat should go out at all. We want someone who is comfortable pausing an operation when something looks wrong, and who understands that "wait" is an acceptable answer even when someone is in a hurry.

Several parties operate on this property, each with their own schedules. You will work with all of them cooperatively. When someone asks for something that is not safe or is not permitted, you hold the safety line, explain why plainly, and bring it to the Property Manager. You do not have to win the argument. You just have to not give ground on safety, and get it on the record.

You will do well here if:

  • You'd rather have the awkward conversation on the dock today than the damage claim next month

  • You document as you go, so that when a decision gets questioned three weeks later, there is a record of what happened

  • You are steady with customers and partners, including the ones having a bad day

  • You take the standard you are given and hit it without needing to be chased

Requirements

  • 3+ years of marina, boatyard, or waterfront operations experience, including at least 1 year as a lead hand, crew lead, or supervisor

  • Documented prior powered industrial truck (forklift) training. Marine or negative-lift forklift experience strongly preferred. All operators are trained, evaluated, and certified on our equipment and site conditions per 29 CFR 1910.178(l) before operating independently

  • Experience safely handling vessels up to 35 feet and 18,000 lbs in a dry stack environment

  • Practical boat handling and seamanship: docking, line handling, knots, fendering

  • Working knowledge of fuel handling, dock hardware, and basic marine systems

  • Ability to write a clear, factual incident or damage report

  • Valid Florida driver's license and acceptable driving record

  • Discretion regarding customer information and vessel activity

Preferred

  • Experience on a Marine Travelift marine forklift or a similar negative-lift machine

  • Florida Boating Safety Education ID

  • CPR, First Aid, and AED certification

  • Marina management software experience (Molo, Dockwa, Speedy Dock, or similar)

  • Fuel handling and spill response training

  • Experience on a property with multiple tenants, operators, or contractors on site

  • Small engine, electrical, or general facility maintenance experience

  • USCG Merchant Mariner Credential (OUPV/6-Pack or higher)

  • Ability to communicate with a Spanish-speaking crew

Schedule and availability

Please read this section carefully before applying. The marina is busiest when everyone else is off, and the schedule reflects that.

  • Full-time, 5 days per week, including Saturdays and Sundays. Weekend work is a standard part of this schedule, not an occasional request

  • Holidays as scheduled. Holiday weekends are among our heaviest launch and retrieval days

  • On-call for storm and severe-weather response, including nights and weekends during hurricane season (June 1 to November 30). When a storm is tracking toward us, this role is expected on the property to secure vessels and equipment

  • Early starts and weather-driven schedule changes are normal

Physical requirements and working conditions

With or without reasonable accommodation, this role requires the ability to:

  • Work outdoors year-round in South Florida heat, sun, and rain

  • Lift and carry 50 lbs unassisted

  • Board vessels and work on, around, and over water

  • Swim competently (ability to swim 50 yards and tread water for two minutes)

  • Stand, walk, climb, and kneel for extended periods

Pre-employment

Offers are contingent on legal authorization to work in the United States, a background check, and a drug screen.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All employment is at-will.

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